Latest military aviation news

Russia confirms talks on delivery of MiG-31 aircraft to Syria

MOSCOW, September 3 (RIA Novosti) - Russia and Syria are in talks on the delivery of at least eight MiG-31 Foxhound interceptors under a contract signed two years ago, a Russian business daily said on Thursday, citing an industry official.

Kommersant said Russia has so far denied reaching a deal with Syria on MiG-31 sales, but Damascus insisted in May on the existence of a contract worth an estimated $400-500 million.

"A couple of years ago we signed two contracts [with Syria] - one on MiG-29M and another - on MiG-31. The first is being implemented, but the MiG-31 contract has never become effective... I hope that the contract will be implemented sooner or later," Alexei Fyodorov, the head of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), told Kommersant.

According to Kommersant, Russia's Sokol aircraft manufacturing plant started preparatory work for assembly of MiG-31 from hulls (without engines and weapons) kept in storage since 1994, when the production of the interceptors was officially discontinued.

However, the actual assembly has never materialized, the paper said.

The MiG-31 Foxhound is a two-seat supersonic interceptor aircraft developed to replace the MiG-25 Foxbat. It is equipped with two D-30F6 turbofan two-shaft engines with a common afterburner and a variable supersonic nozzle, which allow the aircraft to fly at supersonic speeds of up to Mach 2.83.

Posted: Fri, Sep 04, 2009 23:26 (CET)

Norway selects Joint Strike Fighter

OSLO, Norway -- The Norwegian government says it has picked the U.S. developed F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace its aging U.S.-made F-16 aircraft in a roughly 60 billion kroner ($8.5 billion) deal.
The U.S. led-consortium had been competing with Sweden's JAS Gripen fighter to replace NATO-member Norway's 48 US-made F-16s.

A news release from the government says the Joint Strike Fighter project led by U.S. company Lockheed Martin Corp. was selected on the basis of price and the aircraft's ability to meet Norway's operational requirements.

Defense Minister Anne-Grete Stroem-Erichsen says the American fighter won in all key areas, including aerial information gathering and combat.

Posted: Thu, Nov 20, 2008 17:54 (CET)

B-2 stealth bomber crashes on Guam

A US B-2 stealth bomber - one of the most expensive military aircraft in the world - has crashed at an air base on the Pacific island of Guam.

The United States Air Force (USAF) said both pilots had ejected safely before the plane came down at Andersen Air Force Base, shortly after take-off. The three other B-2s from the flight were held back at the airport after the incident.

This is the first crash of a B-2 which has been in service for over 15 years. B-2 bombers, which can evade most radar signals, cost about $1.2bn (£610m) each to build.
They have a range of 6,000 nautical miles (11,112 km) without refuelling and have seen service in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to the US Air Force the plane did not carry any live ammunition.

Posted: Sat, Feb 23, 2008 13:47 (CET)

Libya To Buy 14 French Rafale Fighters: Presidential Source

Libya plans to buy 14 French-made Rafale fighters as well as 35 helicopters and military equipment in a deal worth 4.5 billion euros ($6.6 billion), a French presidential source said Dec. 10. The two countries signed a “memorandum of understanding” detailing a list of military hardware, including the Rafales and helicopters, which will be negotiated in detail on July 1, the source close to the deal said.

The memorandum of understanding was one of around 10 contracts signed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Moamer Kadhafi on Dec. 10, the first day of the Libyan leader’s five day visit.

Other items on the list include six boats, armored vehicles, anti-aerial attack radars, and the delivery of upgraded Mirage F-1s already bought by Libya. The sale of the Rafales — if it goes through — will be the first foreign sale of the French-made aircraft.

Posted: Tue, Dec 11, 2007 21:24 (CET)

Saudi Arabia signs deal to order 72 Eurofighter Typhoons

Dec.5, 2007 -- Eurofighter GmbH has signed the contractual documents with its shareholder BAE Systems for the supply of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Aloysius Rauen, Chief Executive Officer Eurofighter GmbH, comments: “This contract represents the second export order for Eurofighter Typhoon, the world’s most advanced next generation multi-/swing-role fighter aircraft. It underlines the prominent position of the programme in the global fighter aircraft market and symbolises the strength of the European aerospace industry. No other competing European or international manufacturer for a new generation fighter aircraft can present as large an order book. This order also represent one of the largest single export orders since the early 1990’s.”

Including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as the latest customer for Eurofighter Typhoon, six Nations have now ordered a total of 707 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft:

To date, 137 Series Production Aircraft, including six Instrumented Production Aircraft operated by industry, have been delivered to the customer Nations:
48 Royal Air Force, 37 German Air Force, 26 Italian Air Force, 18 Spanish Air Force and 2 to Austria.

The in-service Eurofighter Typhoon fleets have accumulated more than 28,000 flying hours since introduction into the Air Forces early 2004, while the industrial test fleet has logged over 5,500 flying hours.

Posted: Thu, Dec 06, 2007 22:05 (CET)

Russian Air Force to receive 20 modernized Su-24 bombers

Dec.5, 2007 -- MOSCOW: An Air Force regiment deployed in Russia's Far East will be equipped with 20 upgraded Su-24M Fencer tactical bombers in the near future, a spokesman said Monday.
"An Air Force regiment based at the Pereyaslavka airfield in the Khabarovsk Region will receive 20 modernized Su-24 aircraft," Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky said.

The first six Su-24M fighter-bombers have already been upgraded at the Novosibirsk aircraft manufacturing plant and could be deployed with the regiment by December 10. Another six Su-24s are currently being modernized at the same plant, the spokesman said.

The Su-24 is a two-seat, twin-engine strike aircraft similar to NATO's Tornado and Mirage 2000 planes. The plane has been in service with the Russian Air Force since the mid-1970s, and in recent years Russia has gradually been phasing out the planes, which have a patchy safety record. According to the Defense Ministry, the Su-24 will be gradually replaced with new Su-34 Fullback strike aircraft, which has the potential to become the top plane in its class for years to come.

Source: RIA Novosti

Posted: Thu, Dec 06, 2007 22:02 (CET)

Boeing Delivers Refurbished E-4B to U.S. Air Force

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 21, 2007 -- The Boeing Company recently delivered a refurbished E-4B National Airborne Operations Center to the U.S. Air Force Strategic Command after completing programmed depot maintenance (PDM) at its modification center in Wichita, Kan.

"With a small fleet of four aircraft, it is critical that we deliver this important national asset on cost and on schedule per the commitments we've made to our customer," said Andy Reheis, Boeing E-4B program manager. "Our employees take great pride in being able to return this asset to the customer so that it can perform its mission, and it shows in their performance."

Programmed depot maintenance ensures that the aircraft receives the repairs and systems upgrades it needs to operate effectively and meet Federal Aviation Administration safety requirements. Boeing Support Systems, a business of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, is responsible for maintaining, modifying and upgrading the E-4B fleet.

The National Command Authority uses the E-4B, a modified Boeing 747-200, as a survivable command post for control of U.S. forces in all levels of conflict. In addition to its primary mission, secondary missions include VIP travel support and Federal Emergency Management Agency support, which provides communications to relief efforts following natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes.

Posted: Sat, Sep 22, 2007 14:23 (CET)

Saudi Typhoon buy could herald wave of big arms deals in Middle East

The announcement on 17 September of the purchase of 72 Eurofighter Typhoon by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia looks set to start a wave of multibillion-dollar defence deals in the Middle East thanks to surging global crude oil prices.

The long-trailed Saudi contract is the culmination of more than a decade's work by BAE Systems and the UK government's Defence Export Service Organisation to export the fourth-generation fighter to the UK's biggest defence equipment customer. [−]

The deal, which the Saudi Ministry of Defence and Aviation said is initially worth GBP4.43 billion (USD8.9 billion), could eventually be worth more than GBP30 billion over the next 25 years to BAE Systems and its partners in the Eurofighter consortium.

Eurofighter Typhoon during an airshow demonstration.

Dubbed 'Project Salam', the deal is more than just an arms export contract. It involves the establishment of a Typhoon assembly line in Saudi Arabia and an unprecedented degree of defence technology transfer to a Middle Eastern country.

"This new defence co-operation programme builds on a long and successful relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabian governments and their armed forces," the UK Ministry of Defence announced on Monday. "Saudi Arabia continues to be an important strategic ally for the UK in the Middle East, playing a moderating leadership role in promoting regional stability. This agreement will be supported by substantial logistical and training packages."

'Project Salam' reportedly involves a series of multilayered contracts and diplomatic agreements. According to the Saudi Press Agency, the deal was finally signed on 29 August and the unit "price of one [Typhoon] is similar to the price when it is sold to the [UK] Royal Air Force [RAF]".

BAE Systems said the agreement was expected "to become effective in due course" and the company welcomed the news as an "important milestone in its strategy to continue to develop Saudi Arabia as a key home market with substantial employment and investment in future in-kingdom industrial capability".

Source: Jane's Defence Weekly

Posted: Sat, Sep 22, 2007 14:00 (CET)

Spain Completes Eurofighter Typhoon Tranche 1 Deliveries

13 August 2007 -- Hallbergmoos - Following the delivery of ST008, EADS CASA has successfully completed all handovers of Tranche 1 Eurofighter Typhoons to the Spanish Air Force. The aircraft, also the first Block 5 standard twin-seat to be delivered to one of the four Partner Air Forces, is the 18th Eurofighter Typhoon to be delivered to Ala 11 at Morón Air Base, and becomes the 127th weapons system (including five Instrumented Production Aircraft) to be delivered to the Partner Nations. IPA4, operated by EADS CASA, in Getafe was the first Spanish Tranche 1 aircraft.

August 2007 - EADS CASA deliver ST008 to the Spanish Air Force at Morón Air Base, Spain. ST008 is the final aircraft of Tranche 1 for the Spanish Air Force, and is also the first Block 5 twin-seat weapon system to be delivered to a Partner Air Force.

Posted: Tue, Aug 14, 2007 20:33 (CET)

Boeing Prepares U.S. Air Force Crews for C-130 AMP

ST. LOUIS, March 07, 2007 -- The Boeing Company has begun training U.S. Air Force flight crews and maintenance personnel in a key step in preparation for the fielding of C-130 Avionics Modernization Program (AMP) aircraft in 2010.

Flight crew training consists of more than 50 hours of classroom instruction and 12 hours in Boeing's System Integration Lab (SIL), an engineering test device that closely resembles a flight simulator. Maintenance training includes academic and SIL training as well as hands-on instruction on actual aircraft. [−]

Boeing instructors leading the training are former U.S. Air Force and Navy flight and maintenance instructors, including some with several thousand flying hours in the C-130. The training focuses on the aircraft's new avionics systems and their accompanying procedures.

Boeing is providing training for U.S. Air Force flight crews and maintenance personnel on the new C-130 Avionics Modernization Program cockpit (pictured) at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

Photo Credit: Boeing Photo - Ron Bookout

"Boeing will conduct C-130 AMP training over the next several years as the AMP modification is integrated into each of the various models of C-130 aircraft that the U.S. Air Force flies," said Mike Harris, C-130 vice president and program manager for Boeing.

More than 100 Air Force personnel have received the intensive two-week training program, which was developed by the Boeing Training Support Center in Universal City, Texas. Also expected to participate in the training are flight test personnel, instructors and initial cadre from C-130 operational units.

Boeing is currently conducting ground and flight testing on its first modernized aircraft, a C-130 H2 model, and expects to fly the second modernized aircraft, an H2.5 model, for the first time this month.

The C-130 AMP provides enhanced digital avionics that increase situational awareness for the warfighter tenfold over old analog cockpits, dramatically increasing information available to aircrews at a glance, simplifying tasks and decreasing workload. Upgrade commonality brought by the AMP offers the operation commander additional flexibility in assigning aircrews regardless of the model design type.

The aircraft's new avionics system features digital displays and the 737 commercial airliner's proven flight management system, which provide navigation, safety and communication improvements to meet Communication Navigation Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) requirements. The CNS/ATM upgrade will allow the C-130 fleet to be deployed worldwide.

Posted: Wed, Mar 7, 2007 18:40 (CET)

First ASRAAM Firings from a Front Line RAF Eurofighter Typhoon

The Eurofighter Typhoon has passed another milestone on its journey to become a fully operational Royal Air Force (RAF) multi-role combat aircraft, with the first firings of Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM) from a front line squadron aircraft. [−]

Four ASRAAM were successfully launched by Typhoon F2s of No 3 (Fighter) Sqn based at RAF Coningsby, near Sleaford, Lincolnshire, at the Aberporth weapons range in Cardigan Bay, Wales, during the week 26 February to 02 March 2007.

March 2007 - A Eurofighter Typhoon from the Royal Air Force 3 (F) Squadron performs ASRAAM firing trials against a flare pack towed from a Mirach target drone at the Aberporth range in Cardigan Bay, Wales

These successful firings represent a further step towards Typhoon’s planned take over of the southern element of the United Kingdom’s Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) air defence stance, which 3 (F) Squadron will undertake from the middle of this year (2007).

The MBDA ASRAAM missiles will, together with AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium-Range Missiles (AMRAAM), form the initial operational air defence weapons system to be deployed by Typhoon. ASRAAM was first test fired from a Typhoon in May 2005 belonging to No 17 (Reserve) Squadron, the Operational Evaluation Unit.

The Typhoons involved all operated from their home base at Coningsby, flying to Wales to launch their missiles at flare packs being towed by Mirach target drones over the sea. One missile was launched on each of four sorties during the week, the first of which was on Monday 26 February 2007.

Posted: Wed, Mar 7, 2007 18:27 (CET)

Australia to buy 24 F-18 Super Hornets from Boeing

CANBERRA: Australia will buy 24 F-18 Super Hornet fighter jets, made by Boeing Co., and related equipment in a deal worth up to A$6 billion ($4.6 billion), the government said on Tuesday. [−]

Australia already operates 71 older and less capable F/A-18s and the bigger Super Hornets will fill a gap to be left by the expected 2010 retirement of Vietnam-era F-111 strike bombers.

Canberra has been in negotiations with Boeing for the purchase of the F/A-18E/F aircraft, radar systems and weapons countermeasures as an interim combat system before the arrival of up to 100 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters (JSF), worth more than A$15 billion.

"Australia remains fully committed to the JSF. But the government is not prepared to accept any risk to air combat and strike capability during the transition to the JSF," Defence Minister Brendan Nelson told reporters.

Australia, a close American ally, is a partner with the United States and seven other countries in developing the F-35, which made its first test flight in December, and Canberra expects delivery to start in 2013.

"The JSF is the most suitable aircraft for Australia's future combat and strike needs," said Nelson.

But Australian defence planners are concerned about the possibility of cost overruns and delivery delays with the aircraft, prompting the decision to extend the current fighter fleet with the Super Hornet.

The aircraft is substantially bigger than Australia's existing Hornets, which entered service in 1986.

The Super Hornet has bigger, more powerful engines and can fly further with up to eight tonnes of armaments, compared with six tonnes aboard the older F/A-18.

The deal, which also covers training, includes the aircraft, 48 installed engines and 6 spare engines, as well as 24 radar systems and 30 protection systems, known as electronic warfare countermeasures receiving sets.

Posted: Tue, Mar 6, 2007 19:38 (CET)

Boeing-built AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopters Make Debut in Kuwait

ST. LOUIS, March 06, 2007 -- Six Boeing-built AH-64D Apache Longbow multi-role combat helicopters for the Kuwait air force debuted today in Kuwait during a rollout ceremony. The U.S. Army delivered the aircraft to the Kuwait air force over the past several months through a foreign military sales contract. [−]

The helicopters are part of a 16-aircraft order signed in 2002 between Kuwait's Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Department of Defense. The delivery schedules for the remaining 10 aircraft and contract details have not been announced.

Kuwait is the seventh international defense force to select the AH-64D and the 11th Apache customer worldwide.

"Delivery of these Apache Longbow aircraft on schedule for the Kuwaiti air force reinforces our 'promises made, promises kept' commitment to our customers and further strengthens the long-term customer relationships we have in this region," said Tommy Filler, director of Boeing International Apache Programs. "Boeing remains committed to sustaining the advanced capabilities of the Apache Longbow and ensuring that our Kuwaiti customer has the support needed to effectively operate and maintain this important asset."

The AH-64D Apache Longbow, produced by Boeing in Mesa, Ariz., features fully integrated avionics and weapons plus a state-of-the-art modem that transmits real-time, secure, digitized battlefield information to air and ground forces. The Apache Longbow has the ability to rapidly detect, classify, prioritize and engage stationary or moving enemy targets at standoff ranges in nearly all weather environments.

Posted: Tue, Mar 6, 2007 19:31 (CET)

Russia to receive 2 modernized strategic bombers in 2007

MOSCOW, March 5 - Russia will commission two modernized Tu-160 bombers in 2007, the Strategic Air Force commander said Monday.

Russia is currently carrying out an ambitious program to upgrade and modernize its strategic Air Force assets. The upgraded fleet will include both new and modernized Tu-160 Blackjack, Tu-22 Blinder and Tu-95 Bear bombers. [−]

"We are modernizing the fleet of Tu-160 bombers...and are planning to receive two [modernized] aircraft by the end of this year," Lieutenant-General Igor Khvorov said, adding that one of the previously commissioned bombers will conduct test bombing runs in spring 2007.

According to various sources, 16 Tu-160 bombers are currently in service with the Russian Air Force and they will continue to be the mainstay of Russia's strategic air assets.

The Tu-160 has a strong resemblance to the U.S. B-1B Lancer, although it is larger and faster, and is powered by four afterburning turbofan engines, allowing supersonic speeds of over Mach 2.

It has a flight range of 12,300 kilometers (7,640 miles) and can carry up to 40,000 kilograms (88,200 pounds) of weaponry, including nuclear missiles.

Khvorov also said that Russia was maintaining its global leadership in developing new missile systems, especially cruise missiles.

He said Russia's strategic bombers will conduct about 10 cruise missile test launches this year, including during the joint CSTO-SCO maneuvers named Peaceful Mission Rubezh-2007 which will be held in the Russia's Volga-Urals area and will involve ground and air units from all member countries.

However, the general reiterated that Russian strategic bombers never carry nuclear weapons when on combat duty.

"At present, strategic bombers are deployed on the ground while on combat duty, but are capable of responding to orders immediately and carry out combat tasks anywhere in the world," Khvorov said.

Source: RIA Novosti

Posted: Tue, Mar 6, 2007 19:45 (CET)

New ammo improves pilot safety, reduces collateral damage

BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq (by Captain Ken Hall, US Air Force): Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots at the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing here are employing a new 20mm cannon round in their M61/A1 Gatling guns for the first time, improving pilot safety while reducing collateral damage. [−]

Airmen first validated the rounds at a firing range and then employed them in battle at the end of February.

Ground forces east of Baghdad chased insurgents into a building and then called in close-air support. F-16s from the wing's 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron responded, strafing the insurgent stronghold and vehicle, said Lt. Col. Chuck Toplikar, squadron commander.

Improved PGU-28A/B 20mm ammunition began replacing the long-used M56 high explosive incendiary ammunition in the wing's F-16s, making pilots' jobs easier, safer and more effective. That is a lofty claim, but recent combat sorties prove the ammo is enhancing combat airpower.

The older M56 ammo required a specific impact velocity in order for its high explosive incendiary properties to function correctly. In other words, the round would not explode on impact if it did not get there fast enough, so pilots had to get in closer for the strafe. Of course, the impact and mass of the projectile would still damage the target, but would not achieve the full explosive effect for which it was designed.

The more aerodynamic, higher velocity PGU 28A/B 20mm cannon round (right) replaced the M56 round long used by F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. The new ammo allows for higher velocity, a greater standoff distance and increased safety for pilots, all contributing to greater effectiveness while providing close-air support. Its use Feb. 26 against insurgents east of Baghdad, Iraq, marked the first in battle for Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Ken Hall)

The new cannon round employs a more aerodynamic design and "hotter load," which increases its velocity and effective range, allowing greater standoff distance for pilots, according to wing officials. That increased distance directly translates to greater pilot safety overall, because they can fire the new rounds from more than a mile and a half away, said Capt. Jim Maxwell, the deputy chief of weapons and tactics at the wing.

The captain also noted that when bullets can be used instead of bombs, the potential for collateral damage is reduced as well, increasing airpower options for the ground commander who must calculate the desired result when calling in air support, according to Captain Maxwell.

Acquiring and readying the new ammo for use, though, was not an easy task.

After airpower leaders determined the enhancements, the new cannon round could bring an "urgent operational need" in order to procure the PGU-28A/B, according to Senior Master Sgt. Michael Ray, 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron. New ammo came from as far away as Naval Air Stations Miramar, Calif., and Sigonella, Sicily, as well as Naval Base Guam and Iwakuni Marine Corps Air Station, Japan.

When the ammo arrived, 332nd EMXS munitions members received and inspected more than 80,000 rounds in a lightning-fast six hours -- compared to the 8,000 rounds usually processed in a typical day.

"It ain't ammo 'til we say it's ammo," Sergeant Ray said.

The PGU-28A/B rounds then made their way through loading machines, called replenishers, to fill drummed universal ammunition loading systems, which are used by weapons loaders to arm the wing's F-16s.

"Airmen toiled around the clock as well swapping PGU ammo for M56 rounds over a period of two days," said Capt. Kevin Tanner, 332nd EMXS officer in charge.

That hard work allowed F-16 pilots to employ the ammo quickly.

The weapons crew and ammo Airmen are a diverse group of members deploying from throughout the world -- Aviano Air Base, Italy; Misawa AB, Japan; Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.; Syracuse ANGB, N.Y.; Duluth ANGB, Minn.; and Joint Reserve Base Ellington Field, Houston, Texas.

"Our ammo and weapons loader personnel are just phenomenal," said Lt. Col. Patrick Kumashiro, the 332nd Expeditionary Maintenance Group deputy commander. "Ours is a total force team effort, and they managed to get our F-16s loaded within an amazing 48 hours of the ammo's arrival."

Capt. George Watkins and 1st Lt. David Bennett, both from the 510th EFS here, made up the first two-ship combat mission to use the new cannon rounds. The pilots worked as a team employing standard night tactics where one "sparkles" the target with infrared marker invisible to anyone not wearing night vision goggles, and the other then strafes and destroys the target.

"I'm excited to have the new ammo," Lieutenant Bennet said, "and glad to employ it to help the guys on the ground."

Captain Watkins concurs, "Protecting the guys on the ground is our No. 1 priority, and having the new ammo makes it easier and safer for us to do that."

Col. Scott Dennis commands the wing's 332nd Operations Group.

"It's critical for ground forces who call in air support to get it when they need it," Colonel Dennis said. "These new rounds certainly kick our (close-air support) effectiveness up a notch."

Posted: Mon, Mar 5, 2007 19:20 (CET)

U.S. Air Force fixes computer glitches in 87 F-22s

February 28, 2007 - The U.S. Air Force on Tuesday said it is fixing technological glitches in roughly 87 F-22 fighters after several aircraft computer systems were disabled earlier this month during a test flight. [−]

The six Raptors were participating in an inaugural 12-hour flight from Hawaii to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan on Feb. 10 when a "navigation anomaly" maimed several computer systems on the aircraft, an Air Force colonel said. The computer glitch, which occurred as aircraft crossed the International Date Line, crippled navigation systems and hindered communications.

F-22 engineers and maintainers were able to locate the problem within hours and fixed the glitch in a matter of days on the aircraft. After successful testing, the aircraft continued their planned first overseas deployment to Kadena.
It was a computer glitch in the approximately 1.7 million lines of code.

Posted: Thu, Mar 1, 2007 14:52 (CET)

MARIETTA, Ga., February 28, 2007 -- Lockheed Martin has entered into a contract with the Government of Norway to build new production service life extension kits for six Royal Norwegian Air Force P-3 Orion maritime patrol aircraft. This Lockheed Martin Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) will add more than 15,000 flying hours to each aircraft, representing 20 to 25 additional years of service for this critical maritime patrol and reconnaissance resource. [−]

The contract, which includes the life extension kit, engineering support, and other components, is valued at approximately $95 million. The life extension kit provides a low-risk, cost-effective solution by replacing all fatigue life limiting structure on the aircraft with enhanced design components and new, improved corrosion resistant materials.

“The P-3 Orion remains the world standard in maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, and this work will extend the service life of this critical strategic asset for many years,” said Ralph Heath, president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “We appreciate Norway’s confidence in our unique ability as the Original Equipment Manufacturer to deliver this capability, and we’re committed to supporting our customers’ long-term needs.”

Lockheed Martin has installed the required production tooling to build P-3 Service Life Extension outer wings at its Marietta, Ga., plant. The Norwegian life extension kit includes the outer wings, the center wing lower surface, horizontal stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer leading edges, and nacelle components. These kits will incorporate design enhancements and new materials with increased corrosion resistance, essentially refreshing the fatigue critical components on the aircraft. This provides operators with another aircraft service life with significantly reduced maintenance costs, reduced down time, and increased aircraft availability. It also removes operational restrictions currently imposed on the global Orion fleet due to aging problems. Production of the Norwegian kits is scheduled to begin immediately.

“This contract is a great example of the long term commitment our company has made to sustain, refresh and support our maritime surveillance systems,” said Rick Kirkland, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Maritime Surveillance Enterprise. “Our goal is to bring new technologies to our customer and ensure continued operational effectiveness for these resources well into the 21st Century.”

Posted: Thu, Mar 1, 2007 14:36 (CET)

Bell-Boeing V-22s flying again after chip issue

The US Marine Corps fleet of 46 V-22 Ospreys is flying again after being grounded by a computer chip problem, a senior U.S. Navy official said on Monday, rejecting any suggestion the planes were not ready for operational use in Iraq. "I don't think there's anything about this incident that would in any way suggest that we're not ready for operations," William Balderson, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for air programs, told reporters. The Navy oversees Marine Corps programs. [−]

Date of Photo: 27 Feb 2007

Texas Instruments Inc. made the chip that failed to perform as expected in extremely cold temperatures. The aircraft was grounded for nearly two years after two deadly accidents in 2000. It has continued to face technical issues in subsequent years, including a fire that led to restricted use of an engine air cleaner for some time.

Balderson said the companies and the V-22 program office were continuing to investigate how the chip problem occurred, but said he was pleased the problem was detected by the planes' testing systems. "The process worked itself through pretty well," he said. "We didn't have any malfunctions or any problems in flight ... and we got it corrected pretty quickly." Balderson said all but one aircraft passed the necessary inspections to resume flights and the final airplane was due to be inspected at midday Monday. "They're returned to unrestricted flight status and we consider this problem behind us," he said.

The Marine Corps expected to deploy the new V-22s to Iraq later this year, saying their ability to fly higher and faster than older helicopters could make them less vulnerable to ground attacks.

Posted: Tue, Feb 27, 2007 14:46 (CET)

F-22s reach Japan at last

The US Air Force's Lockheed Martin F-22A Raptor has made its delayed first overseas deployment, with a detatchment of 27th Fighter Squadron aircraft from Langley AFB, Virginia having arrived at Kadena airbase in Japan from 16 February. The deployment of the 12-aircraft force was delayed by almost a week following the discovery of a navigation system software anomaly, which was rectified at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

Posted: Tue, Feb 27, 2007 14:46 (CET)

Belgian F-16 MLU sale to Jordan

The first F-16s that will be sold to the Royal Jordanian Air Force have arrived at Florennes and Kleine Brogel 'KB' Air Base.

These are the first four of fourteen Belgian F-16 MLU's to be sold to Jordan. Two of those will be F-16B two seaters, the other twelve will be A models. These aircraft are were in storage in Weelde and technicians are detached there to put these aircraft back to flying status for their respective flights back to Florennes and KB where they will receive a Phased Inspection.

Posted: Tue, Feb 27, 2007 14:38 (CET)

UK selects Sniper pod for Afghan Harriers

(23-February-2007) Lockheed Martin's AN/AAQ-33 Sniper advanced targeting pod has been selected by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to meet an urgent operational requirement to enhance the capabilities of Royal Air Force (RAF) BAE Systems Harrier GR.7/9 ground-attack aircraft deployed in Afghanistan. [−]

It is understood that up to eight pods could eventually be purchased to equip the eight RAF Harriers operating at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan in support of NATO troops.

Industry sources described the selection of the Sniper pod as a "strategic win" for Lockheed Martin, which was keen to break the near monopoly of Rafael and its UK partner Ultra Electronics on the RAF targeting pod market.

Rafael and Lockheed Martin are now looking to win further orders for the remainder of the UK Tornado GR.4 and the Typhoon Tranche 2 fleets.

Source: Jane's

Posted: Tue, Feb 27, 2007 14:30 (CET)

French fighter jet crashes at sea, pilot killed

PARIS 02.19.2007: A French fighter pilot was killed on Monday when his jet crashed into the sea during a training mission to the Mediterranean island of Corsica, the French Air Force said. The Mirage 2000 C, made by Dassault Aviation, crashed off the island's southern tip, near the city of Bonifacio, at around 1100 GMT, the air force said. "The pilot, an experienced air force aviator, died," the air force said in a statement. An investigation into the cause of the crash was being launched, the air force said.

Source: Reuters

Posted: Tue, Feb 20, 2007 16:16 (CET)

US Stealth Deployment to Japan Delayed

The US Air Force’s planned deployment of its newest stealth fighters to Japan has been postponed due to a computer problem, a US official said Feb. 13. Twelve F-22A Raptors had been scheduled to fly to Kadena Air Base on the southern island of Okinawa from Hawaii on Feb. 10.

“We discovered a software problem in operating the navigation system,” said John Monroe, a spokesman at the base. Engineers are working to solve the problem in Hawaii but it is not known when the stealth fighters will head to Okinawa, he said.

It will be the first overseas deployment for the new fighter, which was developed by Lockheed Martin as a successor to the F-15. The mission has been condemned by North Korea, which since Feb. 8 has been holding grueling negotiations with the United States and four other nations in Beijing on giving up its nuclear weapons. The deployment would bring 250 military personnel to Okinawa, Monroe said. The province has often seen friction between residents and troops over the U.S. military presence.